Here is one:<\/p>\n
Sir, \u201d\u201d I am sure the Revd Dr Giles Fraser expressed the anxieties of many in his description of the diocese of Pittsburgh and in his remarks about its Bishop, the Rt Revd Bob Duncan. It does look like puritans breaking away again, as they have gained a reputation for doing.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, as a Church of England cleric currently teaching at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, I would like to make a number of points.<\/p>\n
First, Trinity was founded as a theological college in 1976 because, by that time, the last remaining Evangelical one (Virginia) had become liberal in its commitments. One of the systematic-theology professors left his tenured position there to help start this risky enterprise with the aim of securing a continuing place for Evangelicalism in the Episcopal Church.<\/p>\n
Second, conservatives in Pittsburgh are not planning a \u201chostile takeover\u201d\u009d, as Dr Fraser suggests. About 80 per cent of the clergy in the Episcopal Church are liberal-leaning (much more liberal than those in the Church of England, in my experience); so any such ideas would be totally unrealistic, even if they were being considered. All conservatives are looking for is a continuing place at the table which they and their parishioners can hold with integrity.<\/p>\n
Third, I very much hope and pray that there will be developments in the coming year that will mean that the diocese of Pittsburgh does not in the end vote to leave the Episcopal Church. If it does come to that, however, the clergy and lay leaders know it will risk lawsuits, and might lead to the loss of some church buildings and clergy pensions. No bishop or priest would undertake such a move lightly, and I would invite people not to assume the worst about their motives.<\/p>\n
It would be a great help in the current tense situation if Dr Fraser would use his influence to encourage the clergy and people of Calvary Church to drop their lawsuit against Bishop Duncan. He might also want to visit Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry next time he is in the States, and assess it for himself. While here, he could arrange to meet Bishop Duncan, who is in many ways a traditional Anglo-Catholic, whose high view of the Church and devotion to Jesus Christ are what makes him willing to live with all the criticism.<\/p>\n
JUSTYN TERRY
\nAssociate Professor of Systematic Thology
\nTrinity Episcopal School for Ministry
\nAmbridge, PA, 15003,
\nUSA<\/p>\n